Lake Piney Z Lake Vegetation of exotic species or lakeshore alterations, and chemical disturbance such as Index Results (7-24-2013) introduction of excess nutrients, particulates, or herbicides from the surrounding land The Lake Vegetation Index score for Piney uses. Z was 47, placing the lake’s vegetative community in the healthy category. The LVI method is performed from a boat, and involves dividing a lake into 12 units The Lake Vegetation Index (LVI) is a multi- and identifying plants in 4 of the 12 units. metric index that evaluates how closely a Plants are identified in the selected unit by a lake’s plant community resembles one that visual boat “drive by” and also via a transect would be expected in a condition of minimal approach. The resulting data is used to human disturbance. It is based on a rapid calculate the LVI and is evaluated according field assessment of aquatic and wetland to the scoring system in Table 1. County plants as indicators of various effects of staff are available to discuss this information human disturbance over time. Plants respond as desired. to physical disturbances such as introduction

TABLE 1. Category names, ranges of values for LVI, and example descriptions of biological conditions typically found for that category. Aquatic life LVI Description use category Range Exceptional 78–100 Nearly every plant present is a species native to Florida, invasive taxa typically not found. About 30% of taxa present are identified as sensitive to disturbance. Healthy 43–77 About 85% of plant taxa are native to Florida; invasive taxa present. Sensitive taxa have declined to about 15%. Impaired 0–42 About 70% of plant taxa are native to Florida. Invasive taxa may represent up to 33% of total taxa. Less that 10% of the taxa are sensitive.

Fifty-four species were found during the (Lygodium japonicum), torpedo grass survey. False nettle (Boehmeria cylindrical), (Panicum repens) and Chinese tallow buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), (Sapium sebiferum), all listed as Category I American sweetgum (Liquidambar Invasive Exotics by the Florida Exotic Pest styraciflua), American elderberry Control Council, were found in the littoral (Sambucus canadensis) and Chinese tallow zone of Piney Z. Alligator weed tree (Sapium sebiferum) were the most (Alternanthera philoxeroides), and creeping dominant species in the lake. Other native oxeye (Sphagneticola trilobata) are shoreline vegetation included; red maple Category II Invasive Exotics found in the (Acer rubrum), buttonbush (Cephalanthus lake. occidentalis) and pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens). Unfortunately, camphor tree For a complete list of plants found during (Cinnamomum camphora), water hyacinth the LVI survey, please see Table 2. (Eichhornia crassipes), Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), Japanese climbing fern

TABLE 2. Scientific and common names of the plants identified during the Lake Piney Z LVI survey (7-24-13). Scientific Name Common Name Acer rubrum red maple Alternanthera philoxeroides (II) alligator weed Ampelopsis arborea peppervine Andropogon sp. broomsedge Bacopa caroliniana lemon Bacopa Bidens alba beggarticks Bidens laevis smooth beggartick Bignonia capreolata crossvine Boehmeria cylindrica false nettle Cephalanthus occidentalis buttonbush Cinnamomum camphora (I) camphor tree Clethra alnifolia coastal sweet pepper bush Cyperus odoratus fragrant flatsedge Eichhornia crassipes (I) water hyacinth Eleocharis baldwinii road-grass Erichtites hieraciifolius American burnweed Eupatorium sp. Eupatorium Galium tinctorium Stiff marsh bedstraw Hydrocotyle sp. water pennywort Hydrolea quadrivalvis waterpod Hypericum hypericoides St. Andrew’s cross Ipomoea sp. morning glory Juncus effusus common rush Juncus marginatus grassleaf rush Liquidambar styraciflua American sweetgum Lycopus rubellus taperleaf water horehound Lygodium japonicum (I) Japanese climbing fern Melothria pendula creeping cucumber Nuphar sp. spatterdock Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora swamp tupelo Panicum hemitomon maidencane Panicum repens (I) torpedo grass Paspalum urvillei vaseygrass Pinus taeda loblolly pine Polygonum densiflorum denseflower knotweed Polygonum punctatum dotted smartweed Pontederia cordata pickerelweed Rhexia mariana Maryland meadowbeauty Rosa palustris swamp rose Rubus argutus sawtooth blackberry Sacciolepis striata American cupscale-grass Sagittaria latifolia broadleaf arrowhead Salix caroliniana coastal plain willow Salvinia minima water spangles Sambucus canadensis American elderberry Sapium sebiferum (I) Chinese tallow tree Scirpus cyperinus woolgrass Solidago sp. goldenrod Sphagneticola trilobata (II) creeping oxeye Taxodium ascendens pond cypress Teucrium canadense Canada germander Vitis rotundifolia muscadine Woodwardia areolata netted chain fern Woodwardia virginica Virginia chain fern I - Category I Invasive Exotics II - Category II Invasive Exotics

For additional information about the LVI, For additional information about Category I please review the Florida Department of and II invasive exotic plants, please visit the Environmental Protection’s LVI Primer Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council webpage. document.

For more detailed information about the above species, please visit the Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants website.